Teaching for Global Citizenship

 

“It is now a truism that American college graduates will live and work in a world where national borders are permeable, information and ideas flow at lightning speed, and communities and workplace reflect a growing diversity of cultures, languages, attitudes, and values. . . . Liberal education must produce grads who will be productive contributors to civic life both locally and globally and who understand that the fates of nations, individuals, and the planet are inextricably linked.”

Madeline F. Green, “Joining the World,” Change Magazine, May/June 2002

The UST mission statement says that “the university fosters in the student a tradition of service to the public welfare and an energetic, thoughtful approach to the challenges of contemporary life.” The university also seeks to create an international perspective among its students, including an appreciation of cultural diversity.

Keeping this in mind, as well as the fact that the current U.S. War on Terror links us inextricably to the global community, Faculty Development will be sponsoring a new initiative this year on Teaching for Global Citizenship. We will hold several workshops during the year on relational and intercultural teaching strategies that encourage students to think critically about U.S. culture in the world.

Global Citizenship does not refer only to international content or perspectives, however. It encompasses any learning situation where students study or encounter cultures other than their own. Service learning and mentoring, as well as study abroad, may invite students to think about other cultures in a reciprocal manner. Courses which fulfill the Human Diversity Requirement may also offer opportunities for global citizenship strategies. Faculty Development will be working with other units on campus, such as International Education, the Luann Dummer Center for Women, and various academic departments, to design workshops and other opportunities for this initiative.

Link to Teaching for Global Citizenship Concepts